Political activist Mahdi Shehu has launched a scathing attack on former Atiku Abubakar aide Segun Showunmi following his comments on the explosive on-air confrontation between Works Minister David Umahi and Arise TV journalist Rufai Oseni. The controversy erupted during Arise TV’s Morning Show when Oseni questioned Umahi about the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project and challenged his claims of holding a professorship in engineering. The exchange quickly turned heated, with Umahi telling the journalist to “keep quiet” and declaring that Oseni was “too small” to question his credentials or suggest he influenced the President’s decisions. The clash went viral, sparking nationwide debate about media professionalism, government accountability, and respect for public office. In response, Showunmi, now head of political group The Alternative, criticized what he sees as growing unprofessionalism among TV presenters. In a statement titled “Enough is Enough: When Broadcasters Become the Story,” he accused Arise TV of crossing ethical lines and called on the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) to take action. “When television anchors abandon professionalism for provocation, it becomes the duty of the station’s management to call them to order. But when that failure becomes routine, the NBC must step in,” Showunmi wrote. He added: “Freedom of expression is not freedom to abuse. Regulation is not repression; it is the defence of sanity and national interest.” Mahdi Shehu didn’t hold back in his response, accusing Showunmi of betraying press freedom and siding with the government to silence critical media. “When they appoint you the DG of NBC, you can shut down Arise if you like. Or even now, you can approach Tinubu to shut down Arise, Premium Times, Sahara Reporters, etc., so that evil will triumph over falsehood for a short while,” Shehu shot back. He went further, calling Showunmi a “sell-out” and suggesting his stance was motivated by personal interest rather than principle. “When sell-outs sell all they have and the proceeds are shrinking, they will seek another opportunity to restock and replenish. Such is the sad commentary of the recanting Segun. Good riddance to stupid, stinking rubbish,” Shehu added.
